Sharksploitation movies are a subgenre of horror films that focus on the predatory nature of sharks. These movies often contain gratuitous violence, scantily clad women, and campy humor.
While they may not be considered high art, sharksploitation movies have a long and storied history, and they continue to be popular with audiences today.
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What is Sharksploitation?
The term was formed in the early 1980s to describe a new wave of shark movies that were being produced at the time.
These movies were often low-budget, but they were also incredibly popular with viewers. Some of the most famous sharksploitation movies include “Jaws, released by Universal Pictures” “The Deep,” “Piranha,” and “Sharknado.”
Why Are Sharksploitation Movies So Popular?
There are a few reasons why sharksploitation movies are so popular.
First, sharks are apex predators, and they are often seen as symbols of fear and danger. This makes them perfect creatures for horror movies. Secondly, they often include beautiful scenery, such as tropical beaches and crystal-clear waters. This makes them visually appealing, and it also helps to create a sense of tension and suspense.
Finally, these types of movies are often quite funny. The campy humor helps to offset the violence and gore, and it makes the movies more enjoyable to watch.
History of Sharksploitation Movies
The history of sharksploitation movies can be traced back to the early days of cinema. One of the earliest examples is the 1936 film “The White Death.” This film was based on the true story of a Norwegian explorer who was killed by a shark.
The popularity took off in the 1970s. This was due in part to the release of the blockbuster film “Jaws.” “Jaws” was very successful, and it helped to popularize the idea of sharks as dangerous creatures.
In the 1980s, there was a second wave of sharksploitation movies. These movies were often even more campy and outrageous than the films of the 1970s. Some of the most famous movies from this era include “Piranha,” “Killer Klowns from Outer Space,” and “Mega Shark vs. Giant Octopus.”
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In recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest. This is due in part to the popularity of reality TV shows about sharks, such as “Shark Week.” Another reason for this is the release of some high-profile sharksploitation movies, such as “Sharknado” and “47 Meters Down.”
Elements of Sharksploitation Movies
Many common elements can be found in sharksploitation movies. These elements include:
Gratuitous violence
Often feature graphic violence, including scenes of sharks attacking and killing people.
Scantily clad women
Sharksploitation movies often feature scantily clad women, who are often used as bait for sharks.
Campy humor
Sharksploitation movies often feature campy humor, which helps to offset the violence and gore.
B-movie production values
They are often made on a low budget, and they often have poor production values.
Over-the-top plots
The over-the-top plots are full of ridiculous twists and turns.
Themes and Tropes of Sharksploitation Movies
These kinds of movies often center on many themes and tropes, including:
The fear of the ocean
They often tap into the fear of the ocean, which is a vast and mysterious place.
The power of nature
Movies like these often delve into the power of nature, and how humans are often powerless to resist it.
The struggle between humans and animals
The struggle between humans and animals is often explored, as well as how humans can sometimes be predators.
